Shipping / basic moving service overseas

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

I'm looking for a cheap way to move some of my belongings with me overseas - somewhere in Asia to teach English in a few months.

I've found a few companies, but they tend to require pickup at the other end. What I'd really like is a service that will deliver to my new address.

I'm not moving furniture or anything too large. it will be mainly clothes, linen, books.

I'm starting to think possibly aussie post might offer a reasonable alternative.

 

[danielc]

Hi,
When I moved from Melbourne back to SFO for 18 months back in 2006, I used the services of a company called Hermes Overseas Baggage Agency to ship some furniture and clothes. When doing my research I found there were agencies that would provide point-to-point (ie deliver to you in the new country) but they were quite expensive due to the clearing costs.

My furniture was sent by ship and my clothes were sent via SQ air cargo. For the furniture I knew the arrival details in advance of my arrival into the US but for my clothes I received an email once the clothes were in transit. (The baggage agencies don't know the exact flight for shipment until it has actually gone)

For both of these shipments the process for me was the same. When the goods arrived I went to the place of arrival (ie either the port or the cargo area of the SFO airport) and was provided with receipt documents. I then had to take these documents to the customs area, and declare that these were my personal items and not for re-sale, pay a small processing fee, and then get the documents stamped as cleared by customs. I then took these stamped documents back to the place of arrival and they released the goods to me.

Sorry if this is long winded but just want to let you know my experience of what you're in for.